Tension control device for textile thread



c: B. KIINGSBURY- El AL 2,656,126 TENSION CONTROL, DEVICE- FOR TEXTILE THREAD Oct. 20, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1949 INVENTOR. C/momczBl nvssauex BY 2m Pg H. (Agra-2L.

APPARATU6 FOR DR\ \/\NG THE SHAFT \5 aawmzy ATTORNEY 3 c. B. KINGSBURY ET AL TENSION CONTROL DEVICE F OR TEXTILE THREAD Filed Dec.' 13, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Oct. 20, 1953 c. B. KINGSBURY Er' AL 6 TENSION CONTROL DEVICE FOR TEXTILE THREAD' File d Dec. 15, 1949 I v s Sheets-Sheet 5 P1 5.7. 44 4a r 49 47 43 I 44\ sq 2 9 z a ao /4 47/ .52 I I 3? f INVENTOR C/mmv/cz 3. 151165150 294p C'nEn-z.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE TENSION CONTROL DEVICE FOR- TEXTILE THREAD Application December 13, 1949, Serial No. 132,714

This invention relates to improvements in tension controlling devices adapted primarily for use 'with a double twist spindle Where yarn, thread or the like is conveyed under controlled tension from said spindle to a separate device, remote therefrom, such as a take-up package.

An object of the invention is to provide a tension controlling arrangement of this type in the form of a rotating device which can be operated either to impart a certain amount of forwarding urge to fine yarn or thread or to resist to a certain extent the passage of said fine yarn or thread therethrough.

A further object is to provide a tension controlling device of rotatable type composed of readily separable halves to facilitate removal of lint and waste and so assembled. and mounted on a drive shaft as to permit of slippage of the drive shaft with respect to the'driven device when the latter .is subjected to unexpected drag. ,retardat'ion or blocking.

For these and other purposes and objects hereinafter discussed the device of this invention is constituted as a tension controlling wheel-like v structure positioned to engage the thread or yarn fed from a spindle and adapted to control the tension of the thread or yarn as it is fed to the take-up bobbin for packaging. When intended for detensioning purposes, 1. e. for decreasing tension, the device is rotated so as to have a peripheral speed greater than the speed of the thread or yarn and when intended for effecting increase of tension it is rotated at a speed less than the speed of the thread or yarn passing over the device. This device consists of two cup-like members each having radially directed tapering valley-like rounded notches indented therein and corresponding rounded outwardly extending protuberances riding in opposing notches when the two halves are placed together, so as to form a groove providing a sinuous path for fine yarn or thread. The length of this sinuous path that is contacted by the yarn or thread may be varied so that the tension of the yarn or thread may be readily controlled. This wheel is held on a drive shaft in such fashion that it can slip thereon when the device .is subjected to unexpected drag,

retardation or blocking as hereinafter described. Furthermore this tension controlling device consisting of the two cup-like members may be separated readily for cleaning if necessary.

Referring to the drawing briefly there is shown in Fig. 1 a schematic illustration showing this 14 Claims. (Cl. 242-45) improved tension controlling device with the tension controlling bar positioned to provide the shortest length path for the yarn in the sinuous channel;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the tension controlling bar in an intermediate position to provide a longer path for the yarn in the sinuous channel;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the bar in another position to provide a still longer sinuous path contacted by the yarn or thread;

Fig. 4 is a front view of this improved tension controlling device;

Fig. 5 shows a side view;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the wheel halves and is taken along the line 9-9 of Fig.8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 taken along the line IB--lll of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the two halves of the wheel showing the sinuous channel in further detail.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 schematic views of this improved tension controlling device as employed for controlling the tension of the yarn lll that is being transferred from a spindle l over the tension controlling device onto the package forming device or bobbin 2. The spindle I ma be of a type such as disclosed in Patent No. 2,478,926 or it may be of any other suitable type. In the tension controlling device as illustrated in succeeding views of the drawing and as shown .in Fig. 4. which is a front view of this device, there is provided a uniformly sinuous channel H through which the yarn l0 passes. This uni formly sinuous channel H .is formed between the two halves l2 and I3 of the driven tension controlling wheel. The yarn it coming from the spindle I passes through the guide l-lla which consists of one or more loops of heavy wire supported on the frame'of the tension device directly below the sinuous channel H. The yarn l0 may also pass over the bar 4 after leaving the sinuous 1 channel ll for the purpose of adjusting the length of the path of the yarn in the sinuous channel of the tension control device to effect-the desired change in tension, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The yarn then passes to a suitable traversing guide 3 and thence to a rotating, horizontally positioned bobbin 2.

The tension controlling device consisting of the halves I2 and i3 is mounted on the drive shaft 15, as shown in Fig. '7, by means of a threaded sleeve !6 that frictionally engages the shaft l and which is provided with a flange H for engaging the outer surface around a central hole formed in the half section I3 of the tension device. The nut l8 is provided with threads to engage corresponding threads of the sleeve I6 for the purpose of holding the two halves l2 and I3 of the tension controlling structure in assembled relation against the faces of the spacer washer [9 that is positioned between adjacent central surfaces of the halves l2 and I3 of the tension device. This construction for holding the two halves l2 and It in assembled relation permits these halves to be separated readily for cleaning.

' The tension device is located and held on a predetermined portion of the shaft It by means of a pair of spring-urged balls 20 that ride in the opposite ends of a hole 2| formed in the shaft [5 and engage the threaded sleeve IS in the internally formed groove 22 of substantially triangular cross section. A spring 23 is positioned in the hole 2| to press the balls 2G into frictional contact with surfaces of the groove 22.

The two halves i2 and E3 of the tension device are duplicates of each other and are formed with radially extending alternate grooves 26 and ridges 25 as shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 11. When these two halves are assembled upon the threaded sleeve It as shown in Fig. '7, the ridges formed on one of the halves extend partially into the opposing grooves formed on the other of the halves as shown in Fig. 4 and in the sectional view of Fig. 11. As a result there is provided between these two halves of the tension wheel a uniformly sinuous channel ll extending a short distance inward toward the center from the circumference of the wheel.

These ridges 25 and grooves 26 may be formed by a suitable punch press when the halves l2, 13 are made out of sheet metal and they are so shaped that the bottoms of the valleys of the grooves are substantially co-planar with corresponding central surfaces of the wheel halves. However, a slight bulge 26 is provided substantially midway in each of these valleys, this bulge extends inwardly into the sinuous channel to meet a corresponding bulge 2'! on the opposing half and thereby to define the bottom of the sinuous or tortuous channel for the smallest size thread or yarn with which this tensioning device may be used. Obviously by making the spacer washer it slightly thicker, the halves l2 and l3 may be spaced slightly more than shown so that this tensioning device may be used with thread or yarn of diiferent thicknesses. It is of course understood that the washer l9 must not be made so thick that the halves l2 and 13 are spaced so far apart as to permit the thread or yarn to slide all the way down into the bottom of the sinuous or tortuous channel. Furthermore, the surfaces around the mounting holes of the halves l2 and I3 should be substantially flat to engage substantially flat surfaces of the spacer washer l9, the flange If and the nut I8 so that when the halves l2 and 13 are assembled the sinuous channel i I formed therebetween will be substantially uniform around the tension wheel.

On each side of this sinuous channel I! there are provided smooth cylindrical surfaces 28 and 29 that terminate in outwardly flaring flanges 30 and 3!, respectively. These surfaces 28 and 29 and flanges 30 and 3| function to guide the thread or yarn [0 into the channel i l formed between the halves l2 and I3 once the thread or yarn is placed between the flanges 39 and 3| on either of the surfaces 28 or 29.

The shaft I5 is provided with suitable collars 32 and 33 that are held thereon in predetermined positions against the bearings 34 and 35, respectively, by means of set screws. The bearings 34 and 35 include supports 35 and 3! that are attached to the plate 38 by the bolts 39 and 9. These bearings may also include graphite impregnated bronze pieces 4| and 42 on which the shaft I5 is positioned so that this shaft may rotate at relatively high speed without undue heating.

On top of each of the bearings 34 and 35 there are provided notched members 43 and iii for supporting a bar I l, the urpose of which will be hereinafter described. Each of these members it and it is provided with five notches $5 for receiving the bar [4.

The bar i4 is held in selected notches :35 of the supports 43 and 44 by the clamps 4B and 1;? each of which is provided with inwardly extending fingers :28 which may be made to engage the under surfaces of the arcuate crown of the COl'l'G- sponding support 83, t4 when the set screws 49 that are threaded into the tops of these clamps and i? are tightened down on the bar I4. Tightening these set screws 49 clamps the rod l4 into the desired notch 55. A plurality of these notches Z5 is provided in the top surfaces of each of the members 43 and 44.

The notch-bearing sections of the rod supports =23 and 14 are made to form segments of a circle the center of which corresponds to the center of the tensioning device and the shaft 15 so that the rod l4 may be shifted about the axis or center of the tensioning device when said rod is positioned in different airs of the notches 55.

Furthermore, the supports 53 and G4 are themselves disposed at an angle with respect to a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the center of the shaft [5 as shown in Fig. 5. As a result the rod It, when it occupies the uppermost notches 35 is disposed almost directly over the shaft i5 and as this rod is positioned into different pairs of the notches 45 the angle between a plane passing longitudinally through the center of the rod 44 and through the center of the shaft i5 and the aforesaid vertical plane, increases.

The uniformly sinuous channel tension controlling device described herein may be used for reducing or increasing the tension on the yarn or thread as it passes from the device to another, e. g., in the embodiment shown, from the double twist spindle to the take-up bobbin.

In the prior art, tension on the thread has been reduced by passing the thread over a smooth roller operated at a peripheral speed greater than the speed of the thread or increased by passing the thread over a smooth roller operated at a peripheral speed less than the speed of the thread. However, by using a tension controlling device with a sinuous channel as described herein, the angular contact obtained will be greater than that obtained on a smooth roller even though the arc of contact is the same in both cases.

r In the use ofthe device herein described, for thread traveling at slightly varying speed, detensioning will be obtained so longas the peripheral speed of the device is greater than the speed of the thread and increase in tension will be obtained so long as the peripheral speed of the device is less than the speed of the thread. Since the speed of the thread varies during the traversing thereof from one end of the take-up bobbin 2 to the other, care must be taken to select a tension control device speed which will be greater than, or less than, that of the thread at any point in the traversing. If this is not done the thread may pluck or jerk with resulting damage when the speed relation reverses suddenly. If the aforesaid speed relation is maintained, the reduction or increase of tension on the thread is practically independent (great variations in speed produce slight changes even though the above mentioned relation is maintained) of the speed of the tension controlling device because the tension change is governed by the angular contact between the thread and the tension control device. This gives the device an important practical advantage for the tension on the thread remains constant even though the speed of the thread is constantly be apparent that the angle of these V-shaped corrugations governs the contact between the thread and tension control device. The smaller the angle of the V the greater will bethe radians contact and conversely the larger the angle of the V, the less will be the radians contact. The radians contact of the thread with the device may be varied by suitable change in the shape of the V-shaped corrugations, as just described, but in practice such a change would require considerable time and trouble. The radians contact may be varied more readily by passing the thread over a guide bar [4, positioned in selected pairs of notches 45 so a to take the thread 01f of the device after the desired radians contact has been obtained as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Thu it is seen that when the bar [4 is in the uppermost pair of notches 45 the thread It! engages the sinuone channel of the tension control device overthe arcof angle a. as shown in Fig. 1 whereas when the bar 14 is placed in an intermediate pair of notches 45 as shown in Fig. 2 the arc of contact of the thread is increased to the arc of the angle b. If the length of the path of contact of'the thread .is to be increased still further this may be done by placing the bar I4 in the lowermost pair ofnotches 45 as shown in Fig. 3 in which the arc of contact is increased to the arc of the angle 0. Of course the arcs of the angles a, b and c are only proportional to the actual length of the path of contact of the thread with the sinuous channel since this length of contact is greater because of the sinuous configuration of the channel or thread path as has been described. If the thread were to be run under the bar [4 and if the bar were placed so as to give the thread more angular contact with the tensioningdevice, it would be found that the increased de--tensioning will be offset by increased friction against the bar. The points where the thread makes contact with the tension control device and leaves the same are fixed by the design of the machine, except as changed by use of the bar M as described above.

While this invention has been described in-de tail with respect to certain preferred embodi ment it is, of course, understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is therefore not desired to limit the invention to the exact details described and shown except in so far as they are defined by the claims.

We claim-:

1. Apparatus for handling yarn or the like to provide different density packages of twisted yarn comprising the combination of a spindle for carrying yarn, means for guiding yarn from said spindle, a take-up packaging device for receiving said yarn and a tensioning device between said spindle and said take-up packaging device, said tensioning device comprising a shaft, a wheel having a substantially uniformly sinuous channel forming a path for said yarn, said wheel being rotatably mounted on said shaft, means for driw ing said shaft at predetermined speeds, a spring urged clutch carried by said shaft for causing said wheel to rotate with said shaft except when said yarn blocks the rotation of said wheel, means for controlling the angle of contact of said yarn with said tensioning device producing a package of predetermined density, and means for adjusting said last mentioned means when it is desiredto produce packages of yarn of other and different densities.

2. apparatus for handling yarn or the like to provide different "density packages of twisted yarn comprising the combination of a spindle, means for guiding "yarn from said spindle, a take-up packaging device for receiving said yarn and a tensioning device between said spindle and said take-up packaging device, said tensioning device comprising a shaft, a wheel having a substantially uniformly sinuous channel forming a path for said yarn, said wheel being rotatably mounted on said shaft, a clutch for rotating said wheel with said shaft, means for driving said shaft at predetermined speeds, a bar supported adjacent to said tensioning device to limit the length of the path of contact of said yarn with the sinuous channel of said tensioning device producing a package of yarn of predetermined density.

3. Apparatus for handling yarn or the like to provide different density packages of twisted yarn comprising the combination of a spindle, means for guiding yarn from said spindle, a take-up packaging device for receiving said yarn and a tensioning device between said spindle and said. take-up packaging device, said tensioning device comprising a shaft, a wheel having a substantially uniformly sinuous channel forming a path for said yarn, said wheel being rotatably mounted on said shaft, a clutch for rotating said wheel with said shaft, means for driving said shaft at predetermined speeds, means for controlling the length of the path of contact of said yarn with said tensioni'ng device to produce a package of yarn of predetermined density and means for adjusting said last mentioned means when it is desired to produce packages of yarn of other and different densities.

4. A tension controlling device for conveying yarn or thread under controlled tension from a' spindle to a take-up packaging device, comprising a tension controlling wheel having a sinuous channel formed in the circumference thereof for receiving the yarn or thread, a shaft for supp-orting said wheel, a clutch for rotating said wheel with said shaft, means for driving said shaft at a speed greater than the speed of the yarn or thread for reducing the tension on the yarn or thread, and adjustable means for controlling the length of said sinuous channel through which said yarn or thread passes to control the tension thereof- 5. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel comprising a pair of sheet metal elements each having radially extending gradually tapered undulations opposing each other to forma substantially uniformly sinuous channel providing a path for said thread or'yarn, and means for holding said pair of elements in assembled relation, said means comprising a threaded cylindrical member mounted on said shaft, said member having a flange engaging one of said elements, a nut threaded to said cylindrical member for engaging the other of said elements and a clutch for rotating said wheel with said shaft.

6. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel comprising a pair of sheet metal elements each having radially extending gradually tapered undulations opposing each other to form a substantially uniformly sinuous channel open around the periphery of said wheel and providing a path for said thread or yarn, and means for holding said pair of elements in assembled relation, said means comprising a threaded cylindrical member mounted on said shaft, said member having a flange engaging one of said elements, a nut threaded to said cylindrical member for engaging the other of said elements and a clutch for rotating said wheel with said shaft.

'7. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, a Wheel comprising a pair of sheet metal elements each having radially extending gradually tapered undulations opposing each other to form a substantially uniformly sinuous channel open around the periphery of said Wheel and providing a path for said thread or yarn, means for holding said pair of elements in assembled relation, said means comprising a threaded cylindrical member mounted on said shaft, said member having a flange engaging one of said elements and a nut threaded to said cylindrical member for engaging the other of said elements, a clutch between said cylindrical member and said shaft, and means for rotating said wheel at a predetermined speed for reducing the tension on the thread or yarn and at a reduced speed for increasing the tension on the thread or yarn.

8. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel comprising a pair of sheet metal elements each having radially extending gradually tapered undulations opposing each other to form a substantially uniformly sinuous channel providing a path for said thread or yarn, means for holding said pair of elements in assembled relation, said means comprising a threaded cylindrical member mounted on said shaft, said member having a flange engaging one of said elements and a nut threaded to said cylindrical member for engaging the other of said elements and spring actuated means for frictionally holding said cylindrical member on said shaft.

9. A tension controlling device for yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft at predetermined speeds depending upon whether the tension of the yarn is to be increased or decreased, a wheel having a substantially uniformly sinuous channel on the periphery thereof and being frictionally mounted on said shaft, said wheel having a hub provided with a groove on the inside thereof, a pair of steel balls engaging said hub in said groove, said shaft having a hole adapted to receive said steel balls and a spring positioned in said hole to force said steel balls into said groove, the tension of said spring being such as to provide suificient friction between said balls and said hub so that said wheel when engaging said yarn normally, rotates with said shaft.

10. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel frictionally mounted on said shaft to permit said wheel to slip on said shaft upon application of predetermined tension thereto, said wheel having a substantially uniformly sinuous channel around the periphery thereof to provide a path for the thread or yarn, said Wheel also having cylindrical members extending horizontally on each side of said sinuous channel to facilitate guiding of the thread or yarn into said channel.

11. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel mounted on said shaft, said Wheel comprising a pair of sheet metal elements each having radially extending gradually tapered un" dulations opposing each other to form a substantially uniformly sinuous channel providing a path for said thread or yarn, said wheel also comprising a threaded cylindrical member mounted on said shaft for supporting said elements, said cylindrical member having a flange for engaging one of said elements, and a nut threaded to said cylindrical member for engaging the other of said elements so that said elements may be held in assembled relation on said cylindrical member and may be readily disassembled so that lint and other undesired material accumulating between said elements may be cleaned therefrom,

12. A tension controlling device for thread or yarn comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel mounted on said shaft, said wheel comprising a pair of sheet metal elements each having radially extending gradually tapered undulations opposing each other to form a substantially uniformly sinuous channel providing a path for said thread or yarn, said wheel also comprising a threaded cylindrical member mounted on said shaft for supporting said elements, said cylindrical member having a flange for engaging one of said elements, a nut threaded to said cylindrical member for engaging the other of said elements so that said elements may be held in assembled relation on said cylindrical member and may be readily dis-assembled so that lint and other undesired material accumulating between said elements may be cleaned therefrom, and a spacer washer positioned around said cylindrical member between said elements to space said elements apart so that said wheel may be employed with thread or yarn of different thicknesses.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a notched member for supporting said bar in different positions with respect to said wheel, said bar being adapted to be placed into diflerent notches on said notched member so that the yarn or thread engages said wheel through different angles of contact.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 comprising means for adjusting the position of said bar when it is desired to produce packages of yarn of other and different densities.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Bentley Nov. 27, 1917 Byrd July 3, 1928 Allquist May 26, 1942 Buote Dec. 21, 1943 St. Pierre Apr. 30, 1946 Brillhart Feb. 3, 1948 

